Azura Benguerra Island

Swaying palms, gentle breezes, sunny days and star-studded nights. Benguerra is an unspoilt island within a Marine National Park where Mozambican hosts will look after your every need and serve you fresh fish all day long - and it's a community lodge so the locals benefit too.

Country

Mozambique

Highlights

This is the dream: soft white beaches shared only with the odd diligent crab, pelican or flamingo; silky waters the colour of tranquil blue mixed with an energetic yellow, criss-crossed by local dhows; helicopter transfers, mind-reading service and incomprehensibly delicious cuisine.

Need to Know

This luxury eco-boutique retreat is built entirely by hand in partnership with the local community. The 20 villas each have their own private pool stretching out to the Indian Ocean beyond, and are designed for the ultimate undiscovered getaway.

Safaris

• Benguerra is a sand island which has spectacular moving dunes and a diverse range of habitats for exotic and endemic wildlife.
• On the land there are fresh water lakes; home to crocodiles, fish and migrant wading birds, the beautiful ‘greater Flamingo’, remnant forests along the dunes and grasslands and swamps which house a variety of bird life and mammals.
• In the surrounding ocean there are near pristine offshore coral reefs; inshore sea grass beds, upon which the Dugong (the legendary mermaid) and turtles feed; good stocks of pelagic fishes and long stretches of sandy beaches ideal for swimming, walking or just relaxing.

Animal sightings

• Dugongs – year round, although very scarce
• Turtle season – year round
• Whales – humpback – mid June to mid October
• Dolphins – year round
• Whale sharks/Manta rays – December to March

Local Activities

We offer a large selection of activities, many of which are weather dependent. We do not pre-book activities for this reason. Activities are as follow:

• Scuba Diving – we are a PADI 5 Star centre, with dedicated dive training pool • Guided snorkeling trips
• Island visits, including our recommended Island Hop
• Guided tours of the island and its natural beauty, as well as visits to the community and school • Local soccer match
• Visits to Vilanculos and its market
• Deep sea fishing in a custom built boat
• Shore based fishing
• Spa treatments
• Leisure flips in the Helicopter to various destinations
• Horse riding
• Dhow sailing and sunset cruises
• Guided marine shore walks
• Star gazing events
• Beach walks with a picnic
• Beach picnic and private dining
• Guided bird watching / walking trails
• Dolphin sightings (year round)
• Dugong sightings
• Whale sightings (in season, June-Oct)
• Cultural encounters Snorkeling – although we are happy to loan snorkeling gear for use by guests to snorkel outside their villas, there is not much to see other than sand. Some of the best snorkeling along the east coast of Africa is to be had a short 20 min boat trip away, at the aquarium.

Facilities

Azura’s public areas are right on the beach and open to the sea. We have created several different zones for relaxation, from the comfortable lounge area, to the vibey star bar. There is a media room for those needing TV and internet access, and a boutique at reception. The Jellyfish restaurant serves breakfast and more formal dining experiences.

• A key focus at Azura is the cuisine, with a focus where possible on fresh local produce such as fish and seafood. The array of irresistible signature dishes will not disappoint, and nor will the accompanying fine wines, including those flown in from the owners chateau in France’s Loire Valley.
• Meal settings range from informal ‘foot in the sand’ dining experiences, picnics in secluded spots, to dinner by candlelight on the beach beneath the stars, to feasting in the comfort and intimacy of your own villa, to tasting dinners in the Jellyfish Restaurant. As many meals as possible are served outdoors.
• Dining Mozambican style is a slow relaxed affair, so please advise your Host if you are in a rush.
• Special dining events include a more formal seven course tasting menu at least once a week, as well as Mozambican seafood evenings, also once a week. The tasting menu is a good opportunity for a dressier evening.

The key difference between the Luxury Beach Villas and the Infinity Beach Villas is the prime positioning of the latter, a larger bathroom with freeform bath, and the size of the villa pool. The Luxury Beach Villas each have 3.5m plunge pools whereas the Infinity Beach Villas have a 5m long infinity pool. The Beach Villa is slightly smaller in all aspects but has an excellent location.

The villas are all nestled amidst the indigenous trees and bushes and have been painstakingly created to offer guest their own private sanctuary where they can feel at one with the environment.

Guests need only take a few steps to the pristine white beach or they may choose to just lounge around on plump cushions and have their host serve them tea and ice cold drinks. They can dine on the private deck, or sip a cocktail in the beachside Sala as the sun goes down. Lie in the large bath and gaze at the view, or shower beneath the stars.
The following amenities are found in the villa:
• Kingsize or twin beds with oversize mosquito net (note only 4 villas can be configured as twins and must be pre-booked)
• Double vanities
• Hairdryer
• Mosquito repellant and bug spray
• Multinational plug points
• Telephone
• Mini bar, stocked with complimentary soft drinks and beer – all other drinks are served by the Butler/Hosts, many of which are also complimentary.
• Soaps, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, ear buds, cotton wool and nail files all of which are eco-friendly natural products and free of Parabens, and are the same top quality products used in the spa.
• Books (fiction) are placed in the villa (as well as reference books in the library/lounge areas)
• Beach bag
• Laundry bag and laundry facilities (we aim for a 24 hour service but as laundry is air dried this is not always possible)
• Air conditioning and ceiling fan

Season

The island is warm and sunny year round, and is exceptionally dry. In some years there has been very little rain at all. Rain showers are generally restricted to the mainland, although some will occur over the island close to the rainy season. These usually fall as short sharp bursts, often at night. Breezes are usually light and the sea temperature varies with the seasons and currents between 24 °c and 30 °c.

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